Another reason is disrespect. For example, if a boy talks back rudely to his elders in a story. This is seen as a lack of respect for the family or community values. A spanking can be a traditional form of discipline to correct this behavior and teach the boy to be more polite and respectful. It's like a shock to his system that makes him realize he can't act that way. And often, it's accompanied by a talk about why respect is important so he understands the underlying values.
In some stories, boys get spanked for not doing their chores or responsibilities. If a boy is given the task of taking care of the family pet, like feeding it and walking it, but he neglects it, his parents might spank him. This is to instill a sense of duty in him. By spanking, they are showing that there are consequences for not fulfilling his obligations, and it encourages him to be more responsible in the future.
Well, in the stories, it could be that the neighbor women thought they were helping the parents. Maybe the parents were too lenient or not around to discipline the boys immediately. Also, sometimes in a small - town or village setting, there were traditional values about maintaining order. If a boy was causing trouble, like bullying other kids, the neighbor woman might have resorted to spanking to stop the bad behavior right away. But again, this is not acceptable behavior in today's world where we advocate for non - violent and more educational forms of discipline.
In some fictional stories, it might be used to create conflict or character development. The act of spanking by a woman could be a turning point for a boy character. It could make him resentful at first, but then lead to his growth and understanding of right and wrong. It can also show the complex relationship between the characters, like a strict aunt spanking her nephew, which can later lead to a more nuanced relationship as the boy matures.
One example could be a story where a boy misbehaves at school by constantly disrupting the class. His teacher tells his parents, and his parents decide he needs a spanking as a form of discipline. They sit him down, explain his wrongdoings, and then give him a spanking. After that, the boy realizes his mistake and starts to behave better in class.
One reason could be misbehavior. Just like in the story I mentioned earlier where a child steals, and the woman spanks to correct that bad behavior.
One possible reason could be a lack of understanding and patience. The stepmother might be frustrated with the children not following her rules immediately. Another reason could be her own upbringing. If she was raised in a strict environment where spanking was seen as normal discipline, she might carry that over into her new family situation.
Often, in traditional tales, women punished boys with spanking to maintain order. In a large family or a school setting, if a boy was being disobedient or causing chaos, spanking by a female figure was thought to be a deterrent. Also, it was sometimes used to uphold the reputation of the family or the institution. For example, if a boy misbehaved in a way that could bring shame, a strict mother or governess might spank him to set an example for others. However, these views are now considered archaic in modern society.
One reason could be disobedience. If a boy doesn't follow the mother's rules, like not cleaning his room when asked, she might spank him. Another reason could be lying. Mothers in those stories might think spanking is a way to teach the boy not to lie.
One possible reason could be to reflect historical parenting methods. In the past, spanking was more commonly used as a form of discipline, and stories might include it to show how things were. For example, in some period novels, such a scene might be included to give an accurate portrayal of the era's family dynamics.
Another possible reason is to contrast with the expected role of a caregiver. A landlady is in a position where she should be providing a safe and nurturing environment. By having her spank the children, it goes against this expectation and can be used to show a breakdown in the normal social order. It can also be a device to drive the plot forward, as the children may then try to escape or seek help, which can lead to a series of events that form the rest of the story.
It might be due to a lack of clear rules in their environment. If they are in a place where there are no strict guidelines on proper behavior, they may engage in such actions. Also, they could be trying to get attention in an improper way. For example, if they feel ignored, they might do something outlandish like this to draw focus to themselves.